Where to eat before a game in Toronto: Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre and BMO Field

Toronto's big sports venues are all close to downtown, which makes it easy to combine a game with a good meal, as long as you plan for the crowds. On a Maple Leafs night or a sold-out Blue Jays game, the bars and restaurants around the venues fill up hours before the start. Here is how to eat well on game day.

Where are Toronto's main sports venues?

Venue	Teams	Location
Scotiabank Arena	Maple Leafs (NHL), Raptors (NBA)	Beside Union Station, south of the Financial District
Rogers Centre	Blue Jays (MLB)	Next to the CN Tower, west of Union Station
BMO Field	Toronto FC (MLS), Argonauts (CFL)	Exhibition Place, west of downtown

Scotiabank Arena and Rogers Centre are a short walk from Union Station and connected to it, and BMO Field is reached by the Exhibition GO station or the King and Bathurst streetcars.

Where should you eat before a game at Scotiabank Arena?

The arena is surrounded by restaurants and bars, but those closest to it are the busiest on game nights. A few minutes' walk changes everything:

• The South Core and waterfront, just south and west, with sports bars and restaurants.
• St. Lawrence Market and Old Town, a short walk east, with pubs and restaurants.
• The Financial District, north, with steakhouses and dining rooms.
• The PATH, connected to the arena area, with food courts on weekday evenings until they close.

Where should you eat before a Blue Jays game?

Rogers Centre is next to the CN Tower and close to King Street West, where many restaurants and bars sit within a ten-minute walk. The Entertainment District gets very busy before evening games, so book or arrive early. Summer day games are a good excuse for a patio lunch nearby.

Where should you eat near BMO Field?

BMO Field is at Exhibition Place, west of downtown. Liberty Village, just north, has a cluster of restaurants, pubs and breweries, and King Street West is a short ride east. The stadium has its own food, and on match days the nearby bars fill with fans in team colours.

How do you beat the game-day crowds?

1. Book ahead at any sit-down restaurant near a venue on game day.
2. Eat early, at least two hours before puck drop, tip-off or first pitch.
3. Walk ten minutes further from the venue for a quieter table.
4. Go after the game instead, when early-evening diners have cleared, or choose a neighbourhood a short ride away.
5. Check the schedule, since a concert or two games on the same night doubles the crowds.

Should you eat at the game?

Arena and stadium food has improved, with more local vendors and options beyond hot dogs, but it is expensive and lines are long between periods and innings. Many fans eat a proper meal beforehand and buy a snack or drink inside.

Where can you watch the game if you do not have tickets?

Sports bars across the city are packed during playoff runs, and Maple Leaf Square outside Scotiabank Arena has drawn huge crowds to watch big games on outdoor screens. Book a table or arrive very early for big games.

Is it worth eating in a different neighbourhood on game day?

Often, yes. If you have time, eat in a neighbourhood a short transit ride away, such as Chinatown, St. Lawrence Market or Liberty Village, and arrive at the venue with time to spare. You will usually find a quieter room, faster service and lower prices than at the bars right beside the arena, and the subway or streetcar gets you to the game in minutes. It also means you are not competing with thousands of fans for the same tables.

How much does game-day dining cost?

Restaurants near the venues are often priced for visitors and busy nights. Ontario adds the 13 percent HST to restaurant bills. Tip 15 to 20 percent of the pre-tax amount at table service. The drinking age in Ontario is 19, and bars near venues check ID.

Where should you eat before a concert at Scotiabank Arena?

Concert nights fill the area around Union Station just as a playoff game does, but the crowd is different: more people coming from out of town, and more groups eating before the show rather than after.

• Book a table if you want a sit-down meal at a set time, since restaurants near the arena fill early.
• Eat a little further away, around the St. Lawrence Market or King Street West, and walk in.
• Check the door time on your ticket, which is earlier than the headline act.
• Avoid the post-show rush by planning dessert or a drink somewhere quieter, or heading straight to transit.

How do you get home after a game?

Union Station connects to the subway, GO trains and the UP Express, and it gets very crowded right after a game ends. Waiting thirty minutes over a drink or dessert can make the trip home much easier.

On Mosey, you can rate the restaurants and bars you visited and the dishes you ordered, and keep a list of reliable game-day spots near each venue. Seeing where fellow fans actually ate helps you skip the tourist traps.

More guides to read next:

• Mississauga and Brampton food guide: Punjabi, Pakistani and Caribbean food in Peel Region
• Gluten-free dining in Toronto: how to eat out safely with celiac disease
• Greektown on the Danforth: what to eat and when to go

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